G/SPS/GEN/1921  
 
22 June 2021 
(21-5075) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL PLANT PROTECTION  CONVENTION (IPPC)  
TO THE SPS COMMITTEE MEETING ON 14-16 JULY  2021  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE IPPC SECRETARIAT  
The followi ng communication, received on 19 June 2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
International Plant Protection Convention secretariat  (IPPC).  
 
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1  THE COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (CPM -15, 2021)  
1.1.  The fifteenth meeting of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM -15) was held 
virtually on 16 and 18 March and 1 April 2021. More than 350 participants from over 122 countries 
and 40 observer organizations attended this first -ever virtual edition of the IPPC governing body, 
which contributed to defining key priorities and a ctions for the plant health community in the 
upcoming years.  
1.2.  The first historic virtual CPM -15 adopted the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020 -2030, 
eleven  international standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) including phytosanitary 
treatments (PTs) and one CPM recommendation. It also established three CPM Focus Groups on 
1) Implementation of the IPPC strategic framework 2020 –2030 development agenda Items ; 
2) Communications ; and 3) Climate change impacts on plant health. The CPM agreed to an electronic 
mech anism that seek s CPM concurrence electronically on decisions or issues that the Chairperson of 
the CPM Bureau may consider sufficiently important or sensitive to require CPM awareness and 
engagement (using a four -week silence consent procedure). The meetin g also endorsed Zambia 's 
initiative to proclaim the yearly observance of the international day of plant health (IDPH) on 12  May 
and called upon contracting parties to support the process. The CPM -15 session also witnessed the 
appointment of Mr Lucien Kouame Konan from Côte d 'Ivoire and Mr John Greifer from the United 
States of America as the CPM Chairperson and Vice -Chairperson respectively, whose terms started 
immediately with the conclusion of CPM -15. 
1.3.  Four CPM Bureau meetings were held in 2021 to ens ure continuity of IPPC work plan.  
2  2021 REGIONAL WORKSHOPS  
2.1.  The IPPC secretariat preparations for the 2021 IPPC regional workshops are well advanced. 
This year the regional workshops will again be held virtually. The IPPC secretariat has finalized the 
global agenda and invitation letters are in the process of being sent out. Regional organizing 
committees have been s et up and tentative dates set and topics of interests for the region selected . 
Tentative dates for these regional workshop s are posted on the IPP.1 Presentations for these regional 
workshops are being reviewed  and translated , once finalized they  will be p osted on the IPP.  
 
1 IPPC Regional Workshop: http://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/capacity -development/regional -ippc-
workshops/2021 -ippc-regional -workshop/ . G/SPS/GEN/1921  
 
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  3  STANDARDS COMMITTEE  
3.1.  The IPPC Standards Committee (SC) met virtually from 11 to 14 May 2021 to advance four 
draft ISPM s that the committee plans to send to IPPC contracting parties for  a consultation period . 
After thoroughly revising the drafts, the SC agreed to submit for consultation, as provided below:  
− Revision of ISPM 4 ( Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas ); 
− Use o f specific import authorization (Annex to ISPM 20: Guidelines for a phytosanitary import 
regulatory system ); 
− Draft revision of ISPM 18 ( Requirements for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary 
measure ); 
− Draft 2021 Amendments to ISPM 5 ( Glossary of phytos anitary terms ). 
3.2.  During the meeting, the SC also re -elected Mr Ezequiel Ferro (Argentina), as Chairperson for 
an additional year. While the COVID -19 pandemic prevents in -person meetings, the SC 's work 
continues in the realm of virtual meetings. As a result,  the SC is sending revisions electronically prior 
to virtual meetings to ensure that the quality of the draft ISPMs are maintained throughout the 
pandemic challenges. For example, throughout the year the SC will have a series of "focused 
meetings " to conti nue program oversight and guidance for delivery to the Technical Panels (TPs) . 
3.3.  The IPPC Standards Committee Working Group (SC -7), also met virtu ally from 17 to 21 May 
2021 to revise four draft ISPMs that went for first consultation period in 2020. After intensive 
discussions and review of the comments submitted by IPPC contacting parties and RPPOs, the 
SC revised and approved that the following draft ISPMs be submitted to another round of 
consultation period s, which starts of 1 July 2021:  
− Commodity -based standards for phytosanitary measures (2019 -008); 
− Audit in the Phytosanitary context (2015 -014); 
− Focused revision of ISPM 12 (Phytosani tary certificates) in relation to re -export ; 
− Draft 2019 and 2020 Amendments to ISPM 5: Glossary of phytosanitary terms (1994 -001). 
3.4.  The report of the SC May 2021 and SC -7 virtual meetings will be posted on the IPP at the 
following link: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/standards -committee/ . 
3.5.  The next meeting of the SC is planned for 23 and 24 June 2021.  
4  IMPLEMENTATION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMEN T COMMITTEE  
4.1.  Since February 2021, the main part of the activities of the Implementation and Capacity 
Development Committee (IC) are articulated around monthly virtual meetings  (VMs) . During this 
period, four IC meetings were held and are summarized below:  
a. IC VM11 (February) : The IC discussed and approved the 2021 work plan of the Sea 
Containers Task Force and agreed on the options proposed for the next steps of the 
Design -Thinking study. The update on the activities of Beyond Compliance project was 
presented  and the IC reviewed and approved the 2021 e -Commerce work plan.  
b. IC VM12 (March) : During this meeting, the IC discussed the proposed revisions in the 
process for the development of IPPC Implementation and Capacity Development guides 
and training materials.  The summary of activities on NROs and the proposed work plan for 
2021 was presented to the IC for approval. This VM12 was also the occasion to discuss 
the mains ICD related decisions from the CPM -15 (2021) with a focus on needed guidelines 
for the Sea Con tainers Task Force.  
c. IC VM13 (April) : The update on activities of the Integration Support Team (IST)and the 
update on the IPPC ePhyto solution was provided to the IC. The update of the IPPC regional 
workshops 2019 and 2020 was presented as well as the ongoi ng preparation of the 2021 
regional workshops. The IC discussed also the progress of the ICD web resources and 
decide the way to move forward on the pending components pages.  G/SPS/GEN/1921  
 
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  d. IC VM14 (May) : An update on the current situation of current situation Fusarium 
oxysporum  f. sp. cubense  Tropical Race 4 (TR4) was presented as well as the ongoing 
initiatives to create an IC Team to contribute to address this urgent issue. However, the 
main objective of this meeting was to discuss ICD project s. On this purpose, the projects 
managed by the IPPC secretariat as well as projects from partners (Japan, IAEA, NAPPO, 
COLEACP, Word Bank and Australia DFAT) were discussed to promote synergies.  
4.2.  For full details, please consult the IC reports of these meetings on the IPP.2 
4.3.  The IC approved six draft Specifications for IPPC Guides and training materials and one draft 
Terms of Reference for an IC Sub -group for the 2021 Consultation period starting 1 July 2021.  
5  EMERGI NG PESTS  
5.1.  While the new programme on Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems is being guided by 
the dedicated CPM Focus Group, concrete pilot activities are being developed on Spodoptera 
frugiperda  (Fall Armyworm) through a Technical Working Group. Prevent ion, preparedness and 
response guidelines for countries where Spodoptera frugiperda  is absent or of limited distribution 
are to be published soon after having received over 500 comments through the IPPC secretariat's 
Online Commenting System. A series of t hree webinars is being developed by the dedicated 
Technical Working Group for NPPOs to be able to implement the guidelines.  
5.2.  Considering the success and efficacy of the FAW TWG, the Implementation and Capacity 
Development Committee (IC) suggested an IC Team be created on the emerging pest Fusarium 
oxysporum  f. sp. cubense  Tropical race 4.  
6  PROMOTING TRADE FACILITATION  
6.1.  e-Commerce : The IPPC secretariat is continuing to work to strengthen collaboration with 
national plant protection organizations and key international organizations, such as the World 
Customs Organization, Universal Postal Union and World Trade Organization to address  the 
phytosanitary risks associated with e -Commerce and continues to support an informal network of 
e-Commerce experts. A working group has started drafting the IPPC e -Commerce Guide for plants, 
plant products and other regulated articles (2017 -039).  
6.2.  ePhyto: Ninety -three countries are now connected to the IPPC ePhyto Solution and 54 are in 
full production. The http://www.ephytoexchange.org/  webpage has been updated to highlight a 
number of extensive case studie s from countries that have implemented ePhyto either through their 
own national system or the web -based Generic  ePhyto National System (GeNS). The IPPC 
secretariat , together with the United Nations International Computing Centre and the Global Alliance 
for Trade Facilitation, are working on implementing eSignature capabilities for the system (a feature 
already a part of the GeNS) in addition to ongoing improvements previously mentioned such as 
SPS Messaging (UNCEFACT term - certification status, inspection reports, etc.), setting up 
appointments for export and import inspections (via a "channel " connection, and adding harmonized 
system (HS) codes to the system). In collaboration with the Industry Advisory Group and the 
Global  Alliance for Trade Facilitation.  Workshops have been held with Bahamas and the Dominican 
Republic, with additional webinars planned to be held for Eastern and Central Europe, Costa Rica, 
the Near East and China. Visit the ePhyto website3 for additional information.  
6.3.  Sea Containers : The S ea Containers Task Force (SCTF) is having a series of virtual meetings 
to discuss the work plan as well as new directions set out by the CPM -15 (2021). Hence, the SCTF 
is working on addressing key questions outlined in CPM report with the intent of draftin g 
recommendations to be presented to CPM -16 (2022). Among other issues the SCTF is considering 
the potential value of an international workshop (or open -ended technical consultation) that could 
be held in late 2022 while developing a draft Terms of Referen ce (ToR) for a prospective CPM Focus 
Group which would be charged with arranging a possible 2022 workshop/consultation and/or 
recommendations for subsequent communication to CPM -17 (2023). Finally, SCTF started outlining 
potential core aspects that the SCT F would consider important for inclusion in a) a potential revision 
 
2 IC meeting reports: http://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/capacity -development/capacity -
development -committee/ . 
3 ePhyto website: http://www.ephytoexchange.org/ . G/SPS/GEN/1921  
 
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  of CPM Recommendation No. 6 on Sea Containers; and/or a potential ISPM on sea containers. 
As a reminder for SCTF mandate the group continues the work on increasing awareness of different 
stakeholders on sea container pest risks through provision of information. Furthermore, the IPPC 
secretariat is participating in a informal meeting on  the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo 
Transport Units at the request of the United Nations Economic Co mmission for Europe Working Party 
on Intermodal Transport and Logistics. Finally, the IPPC secretariat delivered a presentation at World 
Customs Organization (WCO) Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) 5th Global Conference to 
consider the use of AEO in hel ping to reduce the pest risks associated with the movement of sea 
containers.  
7  PHYTOSANITARY CAPACITY EVALUATIONS  
7.1.  Santa Lucia concluded a Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE), while other PCEs are 
proceeding virtually in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago) and in 
Sri Lanka. A PCE started in Nepal, with the financial support of the World Bank. A PCE is also foreseen 
in Senegal with the financial support of the German Cooperation (GIZ).  
8  STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCAC Y 
8.1.  An ad hoc communication plan was developed and implemented for the 15th session of the 
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM -15). Media advisory and press release were produced 
in cooperation with the FAO Office for Corporate Communication, while rel evant news items were 
published on the FAO and IPPC websites covering major aspects of the CPM discussion, including 
the adoption of new standards and CPM recommendations, the International Year of Plant Health 
and the way forward, international cooperatio n and the Desert Locus upsurge in East Africa. An 
interview with the former CPM Chairperson, Mr Francisco Javier Trujillo Arriaga4, was also developed 
and published on the IPPC website. A CPM -15 Trello board5 was developed and shared with partner 
organiz ations collecting all the communication assets produced, including news, documents, key 
messages, hashtags, videos, cards and images. Social media coverage on FAO and IPPC channels 
was ensured prior -during -post event, as well as partner organizations. Two short videos for social 
media were produced by the IPPC secretariat to present the expected achievements of the CPM -15 
and the adoption of the new IPPC Strategic Framework 2020 -2030. A new animated video6 on the 
IPPC was also developed and projected durin g the event.  
8.2.  The IPPC secretariat released a number of new flagship publications, including the IPPC 2020 
Annual Report, the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020 -2030, the Scientific review on the impact of 
climate change on plant pests (available in all UN offic ial languages and as digital report) and its 
summary for policymakers (in all UN languages), a factsheet on plant health and climate change, 
among others.  
8.3.  A special message7 for the International Day for Biological Diversity was developed by Mr Avetik 
Nersisyan, IPPC Officer in Charge on behalf of the IPPC secretariat and published by the Convention 
on Biological Diversity on the Biodiversity Day website.  
8.4.  The migration and release of the website for the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission 
(APPPC) went through a major revision from the software and infrastructure point of view. The 
website was migrated and released on a new Cloud Server (AWS). The new AWS Cloud server is 
continually monitored, it secures and hardens the infrastructure of the website . The infrastructure 
is constantly upgraded to help minimize security vulnerabilities. The processes and procedures to 
deploy system updates have been standardize d to reduce to minimum human errors.  
 
4 Interview with the CPM Chairperson: http://www.ippc.int/en/news/adapting -to-a-change d-world -
interview -with-the-cpm-chairperson/ . 
5 CPM-15 Trello board: http://trello.com/b/cdnx14tC/15th -commission -on-phytosanitary -measures . 
6 Video on the IPPC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyTKLem3tZI . 
7 IPPC message for the International Day of Biological Diversity: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity -
day/messages . G/SPS/GEN/1921  
 
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  8.5.  All Announcements8, News9 and Calls10 are posted on the IPP. WTO Members are encouraged 
to subscribe to each to help ensure you get timely notifications related to our activities.  
9  INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANT HEALTH  
9.1.  A webinar on "Promoting safe trade during the International Year of Plant Heal th" was 
organized as a SPS Committee 's side event on Tuesday, 23 March 2021.  
9.2.  The high -level launch event of the scientific review of the impact of climate change on plant 
pests took place on Tuesday 1 June 2021 and was opened by the FAO Director General, Q U Dongyu. 
The main results and recommendations of the scientific review were presented by the lead author, 
Prof. Maria Lodovica Gullino form the University of Turin, Italy, providing scientific basis for IPPC 
community 's future actions to assess and manage  the impact of climate change on plant health. The 
scientific review was commissioned by the International Steering Committee of the International 
Year of Plant Health 2020 (IYPH) and is considered one of the key legacies of the IYPH. A summary 
for policym akers has been also produced and published in all UN official languages, while a new 
video on plant health and climate change has been developed and projected during the event, and 
is being translated into Spanish and French. Two IYPH webinars on Food syst ems and plant health , 
and Climate change, plant health and biodiversity  are currently being organized and will take place 
on 29 and 30 June respectively, while the IYPH closing ceremony will be on 1 July.  
9.3.  The jury of the IYPH photo contest composed by four  members of FAO and the IPPC secretariat , 
one representative of National Geographic Italia and one professional photographer selected the 1st 
and 2nd prizes for each of the two categories of the photo contest: healthy and unhealthy plants. 
A people choice 's awards is currently being undertaken on the FAO Facebook account. Three winners 
for the art and drawing competitions for children were also selected for the two age groups: kids 
(5-9) and pre -teens (10 -13). The winners of the IYPH contests will be  announced and awarded at 
the IYPH closing ceremony on 1 July.  
10  HIGHLIGHTS ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE REMAINDER  OF 2021  
10.1.   The main meeting of the IPPC secretariat for the remain der of 2021 are being planned to be 
held virtually. All events organized by the IPPC secretariat are posted on the calendar on the IPP.11 
10.2.   The IPPC consultation period on will start on 1 July via the Online Commenting System and a 
whole array of documents will be circulated for comments including:  
− Eight draft ISPMs ; 
− One draft CPM recommendati on; 
− One draft Specifications for a standard (for the re -organization of PRA standards) ; 
− Six draft Specifications for IPPC guides and training materials ; 
− One Terms of reference: IC Sub -group on National Reporting Obligations (NRO) ; 
− Six phytosanitary treatm ents; 
− One diagnostic protocol . 
10.3.   The IPPC secretariat just launched the Call for Topics12. The deadline to submit proposals for 
topics is 15 September 2021. This year the use of an electronic submission form will be used to 
streamline the submission of topic s. To assist in the submission of topics, the IPPC secretariat will 
hold two webinars13, one with interpretation into French and another into Spanish on 21 June. 
Information on the process and how to prepare successful topic submissions as well as a 
demonstration on how to use the new electronic submission forms will be given.  
 
8 IPPC Announcements: http://www.ippc.int/en/news/category/announcements/ . 
9 IPPC News: http://www.ippc.int/en/ news/category/ippcnews/ . 
10 IPPC Calls: http://www.ippc.int/en/calls/ . 
11 IPPC secretariat calendar: 
http://www.ippc.int/en/year/calendar/?year=2021&month=1&day=1&hour=0&minute=0&second=0 . 
12 Call for Topics: http://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -and-implementation/call -for-topics -
standards -and-implementation/ . 
13 Call for Topics Webinars: http://www.ippc.int/en/events/event/1035/ . G/SPS/GEN/1921  
 
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  10.4.   Under the direction of the IPPC Standards Committee (SC), two expert working groups to 
develop ISPMs are planned to happen this year, in virtual mode:  
− Annex Criteria for determi ning host status of fruit to fruit flies based on available information 
(2018 -011) to ISPM 37 (Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies (Tephritidae));  
− Annex Design and use of systems approaches for phytosanitary certification of seeds (2018 -
009) to ISPM 38 (International movement of seeds).  
10.5.   Under the oversight of the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee the 
following working groups will complete their work with the publication of Guides and the launch of 
e-learning courses:  
− Pest risk analysis, e -Learning course (2020 -002); 
− Pest Status, Guide (2017 -048); 
− Phytosanitary export certification system, e -Learning course (2020 -003); 
− Plant Pest Surveillance , Guide -Revision (2017 -049). 
10.6.   Also under the oversight of the IC, the following working groups will be convened in 
September and will meet monthly (calls for experts will be launched in June 2021):  
− Contingency planning, Guide (2019 -012); 
− Inspection and diagnostics e -Learning course (2020 -011); 
− Surveillance and reporting obligations, e -Learning course (2020 -012). 
10.7.   The following three CPM Focus Groups will also be convened to address several issues of 
concern to the CPM:  
− Implementation of the IPPC Strategic Framework 's 2020 -2030 Development Agenda Items ; 
− Communications ; 
− Climate Change and  Phytosanitary Issues . 
10.8.   The Strategic Planning Group is also planned to meet virtually 19 to 20 October 2021 . 
 
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